Dispensing device for tubular containers



Dec. 6, 1966 R, K, VANCE ET AL 3,289,893

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR TUBULAR CONTAINERS Filed April 30, 1965 RUSSELL K. VANCE RALPH W. McM/CKLE INVENTORS A T TORNE Y United States Patent 3,289,893 DISPENSING DEVICE FOR TUBULAR CONTAINERS Russell K. Vance, 3817 Piedmont Road, and Ralph W. McMickle, 3813 Piedmont Road, both of Fort Worth, Tex.

Filed Apr. 3! 1965, Ser. No. 452,270 2 Claims. (Cl. 222-102) This invention relates to devices for dispensing the contents of collapsible tubular containers, for example, those containing tooth paste, shaving cream and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device including a case of pleasing design which may be installed at a convenient location, such as on a bathroom wail near a lavatory.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a dispenser construction for a collapsible tube wherein the crimped transverse closure at the end of the container is readily accommodate between squeezing rollers, yet provides a constant distance between the rollers during the squeezing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which conveniently receives the tube, and wherein the dispensing action of the device maintains the tube in proper alignment throughout its operation.

A further object is to provide a convenient dispensing spout and closure whichtakes the place of the usual screw cap which comes on the tube.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal center sectional view of a dispensing device according to the invention and showing a collapsible tube therein in position to be acted upon.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1, but showing the dispensing spout in its closed position.

FIGURE 3 is a broken section and plan view taken approximately along off-set line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an end view of FIGURE 2 and showing the spout.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the traveling squeezer in its open position, and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to the right hand portion of FIGURE 2, but showing the cover in a partially raised position.

The case 10, which is rectangular, includes upper and lower portions 11 and 12, corresponding sides and ends of which are pivotally connected by aligned pins 13. As best shown in FIGURE 2 the sides of the lower portion 12 are recessed at 14 to accommodate lateral arms 15 integral with the sides of the upper portion 11 for making the pivotal connection. Similarly, the-re are recesses 16 in the sides of the lower portion 12 near the remaining or forward end of the case to accommodate other lateral arms 17 integral with the top portion 11 as best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 6. As will become apparent, the last referred to arms 17 have to do with detachably securing the case 10 in its closed position.

The sides of the lower portion 12 are substantially triangular, at 18, outwardly of the last referred to arms 17 where they receive a conforming solid end member 19. There is a transverse centrally located opening 20 in the end member 19 for slidably receiving the usual threaded end 21 of a collapsible dispensing tube 22. Opposite sides of the threaded tube end are engaged by pins 23 having threads 24 near their outer ends and shouldered heads 25 outwardly of the case 10. As shown in FIGURE 3, the threads 24 engage corresponding threads, not numbered, in the solid end member 19. The arms 17 Patented Dec. 6, 1966 are notched at 26 to receive the threads 24 of the pins 23, and the heads 25 frictionally engage the arms 17 in the recesses 16.

Within the end member 19 and rotatably mounted therein at the outer end of the opening 20 there is a cylindrical closure 27 having a projection 28 for thumb operation. The axis of the closure 27 is transverse to and above the axial center of the opening 20; thus, an opening 29 through the closure 27 may be rotated to register with the first opening 20 for dispensing the contents of the tube 22.

A traveling squeezer 30 is designed for operation within the case 10 and includes substantially identical first and second halves 31 and 32 which are hinged at one end by pins 33. Latches comprised of interfitting ribs 34 are provided in the ends of the squeezer sides 35 of the squeezer 30 opposite the hinge pins 33 and are disengaged by pressure on the sides of one of the halves 32. All of the sides 35 have arcuate projections 36 on their outer edges near their ends, which projections serve as guides for the squeezer 30 in the case 10. Opposite sides 35 of both halves 31, 32 have notches 37 in their inner edges to receive the projecting ends of shafts 38 on which are mounted resilient rollers 39. Within the spirit of the invention the rollers 39 may be knurled hard material, but resilient material is preferred. One end of one of the shafts 38 projects beyond the case 10 where it is provided with a turning knob 40. The extending portion of the shaft 38 moves, as will become apparent, in a slot 41 along an inner edge of one of the sides of the first case portion 11. Corresponding parallel sides 35 of the respective squeezer halves 31, 32 are secured by spacers 42 therebetween. As best shown in FIGURE 1, the forward portions 43 of the spacers 42 are parallel with each other when the squeezer 30 is closed and which portions are located outwardly of the rollers 39. There are trailing portions 44 which are also parallel with each other, but are spaced to receive the flattened portion of the collapsible tube 22 as the rollers 39 move therealong. Thus, the trailing portions 44 prevent the tube 22 from curling in the case 10. The forward portions 43 and the trailing portions 44 are, respectively, connected by angular portions 45.

Any suitable material may be used for making the described construction, but synthetic resin is preferred for all parts except the shafts 38 and rollers 39, which are preferably of metal and rubber, respectively.

In operation the case is opened by loosening the pin heads 25. The traveling squeezer 30 is then opened and the crimped closure 46 is inserted between and through the pair of rollers 39. Threaded end 21 of the collapsible tube 22 is then inserted in the opening 20 in the end member 19 of the case 10. A washer 47 in a groove, not numbered, around the inner end of the opening 20 bears against the adjacent tapered portion 47 of the tube 22. The traveling squeezer is then closed, and so is the hinged case 10, after which the pins 23 are lightened, causing the same to engage the threaded end 21 of the tube 22 and to cause the heads 25 to engage the sides of the hinged case member 11. The closure 27 is rotated to a position to cause the opening 29' thereof to register with the opening 20 in the end member 19. At will, the knob 40 is rotated in a direction to move the rollers 39 along the tube 22 to dispense its contents. When the device is not in use, the closure 27 is partially rotated to block the opening 28 in the case end member 19. After the contents of the tube 22 have been dispensed, the knob 40 is rotated in the opposite direction to move the squeezer 30 to its starting position, after which the case 10 and squeezer are opened and the spent tube 22 is removed.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary construction herein shown and described, but may be made in various ways within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing device for a collapsible tube having a threaded dispensing end and a crimped closure on the other end, said device comprising: an elongate case of a size to receive said tube, an end member in said case having an opening therein of a size and location to slidably receive the threaded end of said tube, and a traveling squeezer within said case, said squeezer being comprised of parallel sides and spacers therebetween, parallel shafts journaled in said sides, rollers on said shafts between said sides, a knob outwardly of said case and mounted on a projecting end of one of said shafts and wherein said traveling squeezer is comprised of two portions hingedly UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,728,147 9/1929 Winsor 222-102 2,085,673 6/1937 Roache 222-102 X 2,583,631 1/1952 Chehak 222l00 3,221,940 12/1965 Watson 222102 FOREIGN PATENTS 457,427 3/ 1938 Germany.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

N. L. STACK, Assistant Examiner. 

